HALESWORTH Town Council may be able to take over the management of the Rifle Hall, which remains the town's main function venue. Colin Lane, portfolio holder for asset management, told members at the latest town council meeting that the details of all Waveney properties had been fed intoa computer programme used to make recommendations for a property's future based on expenditure, income, viability and condition.

HALESWORTH Town Council may be able to take over the management of the Rifle Hall, which remains the town's main function venue.

Colin Lane, portfolio holder for asset management, told members at the latest town council meeting that the details of all Waveney properties had been fed into

a computer programme used to make recommendations for a property's future based on expenditure, income, viability and condition.

He said the town council may be able to take over the management of the hall as a charitable trust, although it and the Town Park could be part of a proposal to hand management to a third party with Waveney retaining some input. This could be decided in July.

Waveney's leader Mark Bee assured councillors that if ever the hall were disposed of the proceeds would be used to help to fund a replacement.

Members reminded him that at the two Vision Days held in Halesworth, sports facilities and a community centre were top of the list of needs for the town, and they made it clear that a community centre should be one-stop-shop, which would have to be on a town centre site. They would not consider it being part of a sports facility.

David Gallagher pointed out that a town centre site would not be easy to find and that transfer of the Rifle Hall to the council would have to be negotiated and there would need to be a town plan and a five-year business plan.

Ezra Leverett pointed out that the town has a good track record for managing projects and mentioned the station, the Millenium Green and The Hemp Works.

In the police report by PC Freeman members heard there had been 14 reported crimes in February compared with 12 in February, 2007. So far, 2008 had seen a rise of eight reported crimes. Beccles sector has a 45pc detection rate - the best in Suffolk.

It was reported that some shopkeepers had joined Shopwatch and two people had been given a 12-month ban on entering any of the shops involved in the scheme.

PC Freeman said police had been monitoring vehicles using the Thoroughfare and most of them had the right to be there. There was a new scheme to target anti-social behaviour, which would involve parents more.

The meeting heard Halesworth Business Connections now

has 72 members. The Town Centre group was doing well although

not all were HBC members.